Six Reds ranked among 100 best players in the world

"After cutting such an impressive figure between the posts for Roma in their surge to the 2017-18 Champions League semifinals, Alisson signed with Liverpool -- the club that stopped Roma -- for £56m. The move has been a success, with the Brazilian's composure a key part of Liverpool's defensive renaissance. One high-profile blunder, when the confident sweeper-keeper was dispossessed for a goal at Leicester, was extraordinary mainly for its rarity."

Virgil van Dijk is ranked the 4th among world's best centre-backs

"Van Dijk arrived at Liverpool for an eye-catching £75m fee in January -- a world record for a defender and particularly hefty given that he had joined from modest Southampton. But he might just have been the missing piece in Jurgen Klopp's jigsaw at Anfield, anchoring a much-improved back line imperiously while setting numerous attacking moves in motion with his accurate distribution."

Andrew Robertson is ranked the 8th among world's best left-backs

"Robertson's story has a fairy-tale quality. Just over five years ago, he was playing in the depths of the Scottish third division with Queen's Park, working in a part-time administrative role with the country's FA. Now he flies up and down the left flank for Liverpool and captains the national team, too. He does not turn 25 until March, so suffice to say there is still plenty more in his locker."

Sadio Mane is ranked the 1st among world's best wide forwards

"Liverpool's exhilarating tempo would simply not be possible without Mane. While Mohamed Salah took most of the headlines last season it was Mane, jet-heeled and unstoppable in full flow, who set them on their way time and again.

"Nobody is more devastating when attacking space and few are more decisive around the goal; the Senegalese international scored 10 times in the Champions League last season, including the equaliser in the final, and was also on target against Japan during his country's World Cup campaign. Now he and Liverpool have their eyes on the title."

Mohamed Salah is ranked the 7th among world's best forwards

"The fact that Salah is ranked seventh highlights the brilliance of those above him. The Egyptian had a remarkable 2017-18 season, finishing with 44 goals for Liverpool and -- with his bursts of pace and strength coming in from the flank -- looking like an updated version of Ronaldo. A high-profile injury in the Champions League final dulled his World Cup, but Salah remains one of the most thrilling players in football."

Roberto Firmino is ranked the 9th among world's best forwards

"Firmino is neither as explosive nor prolific as his teammates Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, but he is the whirring brain of Liverpool's attack and, crucially, the man who loves to lead their high press from the front. The goals come regularly enough -- 27 last season -- but Firmino, such an intelligent and selfless mover who creates space for those around him, is about far more than the finishing touch."

Comments

Paul Ynwa Green
13

What, no Henderson? No because he's shit!

12 days ago

Simon van der Hoorn
12

Piss off, Hendo does a very important job for us! Smarter people than you can see that!